USAFord is recalling 223,472 F-150 pickups in the United States over the front fuel tank straps. The trucks are 2023 to 2027 model years, built between 4 January 2023 and 27 August 2026. Ford filed the recall with NHTSA as 26V578 (Ford’s own number is 26S69) on 9 September.
What is wrong
On some trucks the T-slots on the front fuel tank strap were not fully inserted into the frame rail during assembly. The tank can then come loose and detach while the truck is moving. Ford lists three risks: a fuel leak, which raises the chance of a fire; an engine stall from fuel loss; and a detached tank, which becomes a road hazard for other traffic. The filing says there is no warning to the driver beforehand.
Why the recall exists
Ford’s filing ties the fault to the F-150 assembly plants. The cameras that verify the straps are assembled correctly were not in continuous use over the period, so trucks built while they were off were not checked. The filing does not name the plants.
Ford’s Critical Concern Review Group took up the issue on 23 July after a report of unsecured fuel tanks, then reviewed global warranty data. Ford counts 16 warranty claims worldwide tied to the condition, received between 25 June 2018 and 5 August 2026, and knows of no crashes or injuries.
Which trucks are covered
The 223,472 figure is not every F-150 built in the period. Ford says the condition shows up very early in a truck’s life, so the recall covers trucks from those years that were either unsold or had under three months in service on 27 August. The trucks were not built in VIN order, so owners need to check by VIN: Ford’s customer line is 1-866-436-7332, and VINs became searchable on 14 September.
What owners do
Ford and Lincoln dealers will inspect the straps and replace them if needed, at no charge. The replacement strap is the same part, this time secured properly. Dealers were notified on 14 September, and owner letters are being mailed from 21 to 28 September. The filing describes no stop-drive instruction.
